FTC Goes after Sketchers

absoluteallen

12 years ago

The government loves to cash in on anything it can. Their scams are much worse than claiming shoes help you lose weight

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Alexa Smith

Banned 12 years ago

Originally Posted by absoluteallen

The government loves to cash in on anything it can.

Maybe, but that isn't what happened here.

The money goes to compensate the victims of the fraudulent advertising (stupid though they may be), not to the government.

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fluffythewondercat

12 years ago

Was Sketchers one of the companies advertising rocker-bottom shoes? (Sorry, I don't watch much TV.)

My trainer bought a pair of these. She says they're supposed to firm up your core by making you do extra work to stabilize yourself while you walk. But apparently a bunch of shoe companies were sued for making these claims:

A 2010 University of Wisconsin study commissioned by the American Council on Exercise compared exercise wearing rocker bottom shoes and regular running shoes. The study found there was no fitness benefit to wearing rocker sole shoes.[3] The study was cited in a 2011 class-action lawsuits alleging false advertising by New Balance, Reebok, and other manufacturers.

I refused to try them because I thought they were a recipe for ankle or knee injuries.

It's amazing how gullible people are.

fLufF
--

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sbucciarel

Banned 12 years ago

Originally Posted by fluffythewondercat

Was Sketchers one of the companies advertising rocker-bottom shoes? (Sorry, I don't watch much TV.)

My trainer bought a pair of these. She says they're supposed to firm up your core by making you do extra work to stabilize yourself while you walk. But apparently a bunch of shoe companies were sued for making these claims:

A 2010 University of Wisconsin study commissioned by the American Council on Exercise compared exercise wearing rocker bottom shoes and regular running shoes. The study found there was no fitness benefit to wearing rocker sole shoes.[3] The study was cited in a 2011 class-action lawsuits alleging false advertising by New Balance, Reebok, and other manufacturers.

I refused to try them because I thought they were a recipe for ankle or knee injuries.

It's amazing how gullible people are.

fLufF
--

Yes ... they are that exactly. I just bought a pair of Reebocks that are called "Tone" something or other. They were on clearance with original price at $100. I bought them for the price and because I like Reeboks.

I put them on. Nearly fell over. Said WTF? Had to get used to wearing them but once I did, they are comfortable, but alas ... my butt looks exactly as it did before.

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Steve Wells

12 years ago

Honestly, its about time the FTC goes after TV commercials and other offline advertising and media promoters.

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HeySal

12 years ago

FTC could make a fortune smacking pharmaceutical commercials.

Frankly - anyone stupid enough to believe that a pair of shoes can effect your weight deserves the damned shoes.

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sbucciarel

Banned 12 years ago

The government does not "cash in" when it makes a company settle fraudulent advertising claims. The money that Sketchers was fined is going to provide refunds to people who were stupid enough to believe that a pair of shoes could make you lose weight and give you a beautiful, tight butt.

Sketchers isn't the only shoe company to have to settle these fraudulent claims. I just bought a pair of sneakers that was going for $100 originally and are now on clearance because of the same fraudulent marketing practices. Nice shoes, but I don't really expect my butt to change.

Originally Posted by absoluteallen

The government loves to cash in on anything it can. Their scams are much worse than claiming shoes help you lose weight

Originally Posted by Steve Wells

Honestly, its about time the FTC goes after TV commercials and other offline advertising and media promoters.

Sketchers and these other shoe companies were widely promoted on TV with great butt shots of women to show what they will do for your butt.

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Michael Oksa

12 years ago

Originally Posted by sbucciarel

Sketchers and these other shoe companies were widely promoted on TV with great butt shots of women to show what they will do for your butt.

And here I thought you were supposed to wear them on your feet. Guess I'll never understand women's shoes.

All the best,
Michael

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sbucciarel

Banned 12 years ago

Originally Posted by Michael Oksa

Andhere I thought you were supposed to wear them on your feet. Guess I'll never understand women's shoes.

All the best,
Michael

lol ... I wonder if there are men's products that promise something equally as insane as a shoe firming up your butt

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LilBlackDress

12 years ago

Originally Posted by sbucciarel

lol ... I wonder if there are men's products that promise something equally as insane as a shoe firming up your butt

Yes there are shoes like this designed for men also. A couple years ago I did some social media/SEO work for a national brand selling a line of toning shoes like this.

Honestly, I believed they worked. They had studies. They had scientist testimonials etc. I love the concept and it made sense to me. The idea that you worked a little harder and the way they positioned your heels could make you stand a certain way to help you tone your posterior. Weight loss no but toning yes. That is what they promoted.

In fact, when I saw the news on Sketchers, I thought well theirs might not work but Company XXX's work.

I just looked at the Company XXX's website and they are not promoting any toning benefits anymore.

I guess I fell for the idea - just call it the Sea Monkey effect.

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sbucciarel

Banned 12 years ago

Originally Posted by LilBlackDress

Yes there are shoes like this designed for men also. A couple years ago I did some social media/SEO work for a national brand selling a line of toning shoes like this.

After I asked the question, I recalled seeing all the "Smilin Bob" commercials on TV which the FTC also shut down. They also claimed that their product firmed up a certain body part.

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Michael Meaney

12 years ago

Originally Posted by pcpupil

Most customers gained weight.

Tell me about it!

I wore mine every morning for 2 months as part of my pancake butter & syrup breakfast. I also wore them while surfing the web, watching TV and even wore them on my daily visit to McDonalds drive-through.

Those shoes have destroyed my health.

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sbucciarel

Banned 12 years ago

Originally Posted by Mick Meaney

Tell me about it!

I wore mine every morning for 2 months as part of my pancake butter & syrup breakfast. I also wore them while surfing the web, watching TV and even wore them on my daily visit to McDonalds drive-through.

Those shoes have destroyed my health.

See ... so many victims. I nearly fell over and poor Mick is a junk food eating couch potato. I warn you people. Stay away from these shoes.

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mosthost

12 years ago

It's too bad the shoes didn't work. The world would have been a much better place

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PaulMcGregor

12 years ago

Serves Sketchers right for making sh*t shoes.

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sbucciarel Banned 12 years ago

Originally Posted by PaulMcGregor

Serves Sketchers right for making sh*t shoes.

There's actually nothing wrong with their shoes. What's wrong is fraudulent claims that the shoes do something more than shoes do.
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- PaulMcGregor 12 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by sbucciarel
  
  There's actually nothing wrong with their shoes. What's wrong is fraudulent claims that the shoes do something more than shoes do.
  
  Don't get me wrong I agree that what's wrong is the fraudulent claims. I'm just not a fan of the shoes but thats my personal opinion.
  
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fluffythewondercat

12 years ago

I put them on. Nearly fell over. Said WTF? Had to get used to wearing them but once I did, they are comfortable, but alas ... my butt looks exactly as it did before.

My trainer does say they're comfortable and she still wears them.

Experts say an easy way to work your glutes is to walk up an incline, so just make sure you're going uphill everywhere you go. :-)

fLufF
--

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sbucciarel

Banned 12 years ago

Originally Posted by fluffythewondercat

I put them on. Nearly fell over. Said WTF? Had to get used to wearing them but once I did, they are comfortable, but alas ... my butt looks exactly as it did before.

My trainer does say they're comfortable and she still wears them.

Experts say an easy way to work your glutes is to walk up an incline, so just make sure you're going uphill everywhere you go. :-)

fLufF
--

See, all they needed was a disclaimer. If you wear these while hiking the Appalachian Trail, your legs and butt will become rock hard. :p

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DarkN1ght

12 years ago

To be honest I dont see why this doesnt happen more often.

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Raydal

12 years ago

I guess it's tough coming up with a new angle to sell the same
old shoes. I mean how many ways can you say "buy my shoes"?

I remember those days when they used basketball stars to
justify some exorbitant prices for sneakers. Many young people
lost their lives for wearing those in the wrong neighborhoods.

Consumers still have to use their common sense. Not every
health result could be considered "common sense" but at
least see what the science says--and not the scientist
working for the seller.

But on the other hand, thinking is so hard.

-Ray Edwards

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Kay King

12 years ago

I have a pair of those shoes (unworn) in my closet - a friend bought them for me to convince me of "how great they are". I don't spend that much money on shoes to begin with - I don't have a problem with my butt or my legs...don't know where her 200 lb mind was:p

However, I do have an ankle that was badly injured years ago and I wouldn't take the chance of hurting it with those shoes....so they stayed in the closet.

It was a profitable product line - almost every woman I knew had a pair.

Maybe the needed disclaimer was "product may not achieve desired results for users eating snacks while walking"

My question is - why were the shoes sold for years before authorities noticed a problem? If it's the advertising that's a problem - why would it take so long to notice?e Or do they only respond when people complain their butt is still flabby?

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Alexa Smith

Banned 12 years ago

Originally Posted by Kay King

My question is - why were the shoes sold for years before authorities noticed a problem? If it's the advertising that's a problem - why would it take so long to notice?e Or do they only respond when people complain their butt is still flabby?

I think (at least in the past) they've tended to respond only when a certain volume of complaints has built up? Regulatory enforcement, historically, has tended - overall - to be reactive rather than pro-active, hasn't it? I think that climate's generally changing a little, at the moment, though?

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Nicola Lane

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Kay King

My question is - why were the shoes sold for years before authorities noticed a problem? If it's the advertising that's a problem - why would it take so long to notice?e Or do they only respond when people complain their butt is still flabby?

Yes - bodies like this only respond to complaints. This is for two main reasons:

1 - They already have enough work to do without looking for more!

2 - When they work proactively then their problems appear like Hydra heads! They start getting accused of taking bribes, and they have to investigate everyone! They can't just say "that looks dodgy" and then ask for proof - they have to ask everyone for proof of everything - they aren't allowed to use common sense.

I could say a lot more on the subject - and will if you really want me to! There are often times when bodies like this do things or don't do things that get people upset - and the solution appears obvious - until you look into it, or are part of the bureaucracy that has to try and design some of these systems!

Hope that helps.

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FTC Goes after Sketchers

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